Home Securities Co. v. Todd ( 1917 )

Ladd, J.

1. Brokers : compensation : when earned: evidence. The action is by plaintiff, as assignee of Snyder Bros., a copartnership engaged in the real estate business, to recover for services rendered in finding a purchaser for defendant’s residence, located in the city of Des Moines. He listed it for sale with said firm, with the understanding that a commission would be paid, if a purchaser were found. 5 per cent on the first $1,000 and 2Va per cent on the remainder of the purchase price is conceded to be reasonable compensation for such services. Subsequent to listing the property, defendant called at the firm’s office and asked if the house had been advertised the day before, and, upon receiving a negative answer, asked that the sale be pushed. Wallace, who was in the room, inquired what kind of property they were speaking of, and defendant told him. 'Wallace then suggested that he knew a person who wanted to exchange an automobile for a house and, on inquiry, said the automobile was a “six-cylinder Buick,” and priced at $1,200. Thereupon, W. L. Snyder inquired of defendant if he would trade. The latter said he didn’t know; whereupon Snyder remarked:

“Your property has been listed with us for $5,500. You have been talking of taking $5,200. They always exaggerate the price of a secondhand automobile. You put your price to $6,000, take the $1,200 automobile, and get $4,800.”

Defendant replied, “By George, I will do it.” Thereupon, Snyder told Wallace to take defendant over and introduce him to the proposed purchaser. Wallace pertinently inquired, “What will I get out of it?” and Snyder said, “I will split the commission.” Snyder testified that “Todd was standing by my desk and heard it.” Wallace then went out with Todd and introduced him to Sharp, and they exchanged on the terms suggested by Snyder. Subsequently, defendant and Sharp each paid Wallace $15 for his services, and the former declined to consider Snyder Bros.’ claim for compensation.

„ „ avoidancemrat° toran-ay" DtIierSuch was the evidence, and, as we think, it would have warranted a finding by the jury that a commission was earned, in that a purchaser was found, and that Snyder Bros, were entitled to at least half of it. Wallace was assisting the firm in bringing defendant and the proposed purchaser together, on the express agreement that he and the firm would divide the commission to be earned. That defendant knew of this arrangement is undisputed, and, as he proceeded to take advantage thereof without objection, he would not seem to be in a situation to object to the payment of a commission for the services rendered. But appellee suggests that, inasmuch as Wallace was acting for Snyder Bros., and the terms which a purchaser must have been found had not been agreed upon, it was competent for Wallace, defendant and Sharp to settle upon the amount of compensation for the agent’s services, as a part of the terms of exchange. The trouble with this is that no such a state of facts is inferable from the evidence, or at least the jury might have found otherwise. For all that appears, Wallace introduced Sharp to defendant, and they exchanged properties and thereafter settled with Wallace. But, as the jury might well have found that Snyder Bros, were entitled to one half of the commission, and this defendant so knew, he could not settle with that firm by paying Wallace, the latter being in no sense a partner.

The court erred in sustaining a motion to direct, and the judgment is — Reversed.

Gaynor, C. J., Evans and Salinger, JJ., concur.